Ten MPs allied to Jubilee coalition defended Majority Leader Aden Duale over his remarks in Narok County early this week that angered the Governors’ Council chairman Isaac Rutto.
Duale had told Rutto that the money increment that he was agitating for to a point of calling for a national referendum does not belong to his (Rutto’s) mother.
The statement has triggered a wave of condemnation with a section of leaders saying Duale did not conduct himself with decorum as he made his speech.
The MPs on Friday argued that Duale did not make any mistake since he was calling on the Governors to account for the money given to them.
Speaking in Ol Kalou town in Nyandarua County during a fundraiser attended by Deputy President William Ruto, they called on the majority leader to go on with his push to force Governors to drop their clamor for a national referendum, and instead honor the Senate sermons so that they can explain how they have spent their devolved funds.
Ndaragwa MP Waweru Ndiritu said it was a shame that some of them were rushing to courts whenever they were summoned by the Senate.
“We are disturbed by the Governors reactions whenever they are called upon by the Senate since they are going to court to block the sermons. This is not right as they are using the courts to misuse our money,’ he noted.
Others who joined in the call were Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwa, Wachira Karani, David Kiaraho, Mathenge Ndiritu, Njoroge Chege, Gala Mwashetani, Cyrus Tiren, Dan Kazungu, Weru Kinyua and Nyandarua women representative Wanjiku Muhia.
‘Duale did not insult anyone and he should not be asked to apologize. Those were not insults and he should go to the Senate and not go to the courts,” noted Ichungwa.
He said that the law was very clear that the senate was the watchdog for the county governments by exercising the oversight authority.
‘The Governors should respect the law and obey it. This should be by going to the Senate to answer queries,” noted Wachira Karani from Laikipia West.
Ruto on his part steered clear of the matter but maintained that the calls for a national referendum by Cord and a section of Governors were not justified.
Ruto noted that the calls were to keep the opposition leader relevant politically.
“This is not a matter that should worry Kenyans, we have defeated these people before and even if it is called for, we will still defeat them,’ he said.
He maintained that the Jubilee Government was committed to ensure that the devolved Government works and there was no need for a referendum at this time.
“We are on the right path and we will not drive this country through the rear mirror. We are in the right direction and those calling for a referendum are just trying to make themselves relevant,” he noted.
He said that the Government was keen on making empowering the youths and women.
Ruto was the chief guest during a function to raise funds for Ol Kalou Witeithie Women Empowerment Network, an initiative to help started by Jackie Kiaraho, the wife to Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho.
Over Sh7 million was raised during the ceremony.
– the-star.co.ke
